Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
Hear this word [sexually transmitted infection s t eye]
Also known as: sexually transmitted disease, STD
Image description: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be passed between partners during sexual activity
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What Is It?
Sexually transmitted infections are infections that can be passed between partners during sexual activity. Sexually transmitted infections can be passed through skin-to-skin contact and contact with other people’s body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood.
There are many different types of sexually transmitted infections. A health care provider can do different tests to determine if a person has a sexually transmitted infection.
An Example
Ben and Corin are in a romantic relationship with each other. They do not have any other partners, but they choose to get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections to be up-to-date about their sexually transmitted infection status.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- Make appointments with a health care provider to get tested for sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus.
- Using condoms during all sexual activity can help people to avoid passing sexually transmitted infections between partners.
- Use barrier methods such as internal condoms, external condoms, latex gloves, or dental dams during sexual activity to prevent transmitted infections from being passed between partners.
- People may use medications and vaccines to avoid getting or passing sexually transmitted infections to partners.
- Some sexually transmitted infections can be cured with medications. Some sexually transmitted infections cannot be cured, but they can be treated using special medications throughout a person’s life.
- People who are in a long-term relationship with only one person should still get tested for sexually transmitted infections regularly.
Think about
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What strategies can be used to avoid passing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between partners?
Use internal condoms or external condoms during sex to prevent body fluids like semen, vaginal fluid, or blood from getting into or touching the other person’s body.
Place a dental dam on the vulva or the anus to create a barrier between one person’s mouth and the other person’s body during oral sex.
- Get tested for all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV often. Make sure to tell the health care provider that you want to be tested for all sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
What other questions do you have about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? What else do you want to learn?
Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust. You may also find answers to your questions by using websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or visit other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like our online game, Our Stories, Our Journeys: A Sexual Health Game!